TAWA FLAT TUNNEL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20282, 15 December 1927, Page 12

TAWA FLAT TUNNEL.

DISPUTE REGARDING WAGESSTOPPAGE OF WORK ENSUES. (Peb United Pbess Association.! WELLINGTON, December 14. A hitch in the work of driving the new tunnel from the Tawa Flat railway deviation has occurred, and work is stopped. The tunnelling was being done by contract, Messrs J. Burnside and W. B, Matthews being the contractors, and employing 36 men. The work was commenced on September 19, and the conditions of employment and wages were to be under the agreement between the New Zealand Workers’ Union and tl.o Public Works Department, which was drawn up to cover all such undertakings. However, the wages paid were bigger, being 18s for shovellers. £1 for machine men, and 23s to 25s for the shift boss for seven and a-half hours’ work. The men last week, it is reported, demanded increases to a minimum wage of 25s for all underground workers, 18 s for outside labour, and award rates for tradesmen. The contractors then propose to adopt the conditions of the Public Works Department agreement but with wages the same as were being paid before and with certain alterations in the conditions. A conference was asked for by the men, but owing to the contractors themselves being engaged night and day on the work a conference could not "be arranged immediately. A conference was arranged for next Sunday or Monday. Six of the men, who, it was considered, were not giving satisfaction, were paid off, and in consequence a stop-work meeting was held this afternoon. It was then announced that the men would not resume work until (he conference had been held. The contractors do not desire a conference earlier than was agreed on, and at present the matter stands there.